Government agencies are encouraged to proactively release information and utilize artificial intelligence to manage information requests, as costs are projected to rise significantly in the coming years.

• 01Agencies spent $183.6 million on nearly 159,000 information requests in the 2024/25 financial year.
• 02This represents a threefold increase in spending and a fourfold rise in requests compared to a decade ago.
• 03Projected costs could reach $342 million by the 2030/31 financial year.
• 04The Ministry of Justice recommends proactive information release and strategies to manage routine queries.
• 05Agencies are advised to implement AI chatbots and automated systems to handle information requests efficiently.

The rising costs of information requests may lead to increased budget allocations for government agencies, affecting their operational efficiency.